Alien Kulture
| Company type | Punk band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Ausaf Abbas, Azhar Rana, Pervez Bilgrami, Huw Jones |
| Defunct | 1981 |
| Headquarters | Balham , United Kingdom |
| Products | Punk music |
Alien Kulture was a punk band from the United Kingdom that operated between 1979 and 1981. The group was established by Ausaf Abbas, Azhar Rana, Pervez Bilgrami, and Huw Jones, who described himself as the "token white" member. Originating in Balham, their music was influenced by the punk movement, as well as organizations like the Anti-Nazi League and Rock Against Racism. Their goal was to articulate the challenges faced by second-generation Asian immigrants during a period marked by ethnic conflicts and racial disturbances in Britain. Drawing on their Pakistani Muslim heritage, they sought to increase Asian representation within mainstream popular culture.
The band's name was a direct response to concerns expressed by then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher about being "swamped by people with a different culture." According to former bassist Ausaf Abbas, this sentiment symbolized a rejection from the dominant British cultural identity. Alien Kulture tackled themes such as racial discrimination and arranged marriages, which led to criticism from both neo-Nazi groups and certain members of the Asian community. They acknowledged that Rock Against Racism played a significant role in encouraging a stronger sense of identity among British Asians.
They issued a single titled "Culture Crossover" backed with "Asian Youth" under Rock Against Racism Records. BBC radio personality John Peel provided them with airplay support; however, they received minimal attention from mainstream media outlets. The band declined an opportunity to perform alongside The Specials due to academic commitments and ultimately disbanded after roughly 30 performances.
By 2010, Huw Jones had transitioned into the non-profit sector, Pervez Bilgrami was managing a recruitment firm, and Azhar Rana had become a partner at an accounting practice. As of 2016, Ausaf Abbas had progressed from working as an economist at BP to a career in investment banking.
External links
- Official website
- IMDb name
- Discogs artist